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Category: Malaya

Pinoy Big Brother

Published by Ellen on October 30, 2005

There is no escaping Pinoy Big Brother these days.

While I was having a medical check-up some weeks ago, the cell phone of my internist’s assistant rang. My internist immediately recognized the ring tone. Amused, he remarked, “That’s Pinoy Big Brother.” The assistant replied, “I got this from you.”

Past 9 p.m. at home, I would be preparing to sleep but I could hear Jason’s jokes, Say’s whining and other housemates voices because my sister-in-law, nephew and niece are ardent followers of PBB.

Two weeks ago, we (mostly non-showbiz columnists) had the pleasure of being brought to “Bahay ni Kuya” by director Lauren Dyogi, the young and good-looking business unit head of the hit show, and the well-liked Boy Abunda. We visited the PBB house on Eugenio Lopez Drive in front of ABS-CBN’s The Loop.

The PBB set is a marvel. It’s a house within a house. Enclosed by a wall with one-way mirrors is a tastefully furnished living unit with two bedrooms, one bath, large living room, kitchen, a garden and a swimming pool. Twenty-six cameras record all the activities within the house including the bathroom (they, however, devised a way that the housemate’s privacy is respected while taking a bath).

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FVR, Enriquez, Abat

Published by Ellen on October 30, 2005

Last Friday, former AFP Chief of Staff Fortunato Abat and former Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez held a press conference at the Café Roma in Manila Hotel. The two are the primemovers of the Christian Nationalist Union which calls for the ouster of Gloria Arroyo and the setting up of a new government to be run by a council.

In past interviews, Abat had been quoted as advocating the establishment of a junta.

Last Friday, Abat denied ever having advocated for a junta.

Enriquez , on the other hand, used a new term for the alternative they were offering:constitutional protective option.

The day before, Inquirer came out with a story on the U.S. Embassy report linking former President Ramos, former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte,Abat and Enriquez to a plot to oust Arroyo.

Abat denied working with Ramos saying that the last time they talked was in 2001 during Edsa II. Enriquez answer was more intriguing: “I do not know that there is such a plan.” So, could there be a plan he doesn’t know?

What was surprising was Abat’s criticism of protest actions against Arroyo. He said “when rallies are dispersed, they convey defeat. They are symbols of defeat. They strengthen GMA.”

Enriquez, made a revealing remark: “Had GMA fell earlier ( when there is no ready alternative yet) who would benefit?

Those remarks reveal the closeness of their position with FVR who has also shunned joining rallies and who said that he supports GMA because “there is no alternative.”

Abat and Enriquez said they had just come from Washington D.C. where they met officials (they decline to reveal the identities of people they met) who told them that House Speaker Jose de Venecia had also been there lobbying for support for his Cha-Cha.

Talking with Abat and Enriquez strengthens my suspicion that they are part of FVR’s network. They shake GMA to compel her to depend on FVR. But it seems they have met their match in GMA who is as wily and as unprincipled as their principal.

Last Oct. 24, 2005, I wrote in Malaya about FVR’s agenda:

I find the justification of former President Ramos of his support for Gloria Arroyo unprincipled.
In a speech before three major business groups last week, former President Ramos explained his support for Gloria Arroyo: “If I have been supportive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, it is only secondary and incidental since there is no other better alternative right now.”
The problem with Ramos is that he wants to be the alternative.

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